On the other side of the ocean, what is the difference between a socialist country that is completely free of education, medical care and housing?
Today, there are four socialist countries in Asia, namely North Korea, Vietnam and Laos, which border China, while Cuba has become the only socialist country outside Asia.
As early as 1962, the United States declared an economic, trade and financial embargo against Cuba, but even in such a difficult environment, the development of Cuba's social system was enough to amaze the world.
Cuba geographical location
For a Cuban family, education alone never has to worry about the education of its children. Although Cuba's economic development is relatively backward, the state invests 10% of its fiscal revenue in education every year. From birth to university graduation, Cuban children are exempt from tuition and book fees, and even provide free food and uniforms.
In 1957, Cuba's literacy rate reached 76.4 per cent By the end of 1961, Cuba had completed its literacy campaign.
The Republic of Cuba, with an average life expectancy of 78.3 years and a literacy rate of 99 per cent, has been at a very high level in the Human Development Index for many years.
Overlooking the Cuban capital
The above is just the tip of the iceberg of Cuba, as a socialist country, what is different about Cuba? How superior is its social system?
In 1959, Fidel Castro overthrew the original dictatorship and announced the beginning of the socialist revolution the following year, establishing a socialist system. After the Bay of Pigs incident, the United States announced the economic, trade and financial embargo against Cuba, and the two countries did not restore diplomatic relations until 2015, but more than half a century later, the United States has still not fully lifted the blockade against Cuba.
Despite this context, Cuba has achieved many remarkable achievements in many respects.
Because of its geographical ties, Cuba is not like the other three socialist countries bordering China, but on the other side of the ocean, so our understanding of Cuba is weaker than that of the other three socialist countries.
Administrative divisions of Cuba
But now we want to know Cuba, far subvert your perception.
The importance of education is very large: at the beginning of this article, we talked about education in Cuba, and now we need to go deeper, and only in this way can we really understand the superiority of its education system. As a socialist country, Cuba's educational reform and educational development are proud of the world.
Cuba's schools at all levels are public, with a policy of total exemption (including book fees, free meals and uniforms) and a very high quality of the population, with one in six graduating from university.
At the beginning of 2002, Cuba's educational reform proposed to reduce the number of students per class to 15 to 20 students, and two national channels broadcast 10 to 12 hours of educational programs per day. It is not difficult to see the importance that Cuba attaches to education.
Cuban students under the education system
Medical exemption: It can be said that this is an important indicator to improve the happiness index of the Cuban people, the implementation of the medical exemption policy, the people do not have to worry about illness and no money for treatment, let alone worry about poverty caused by illness. Many countries in the world are facing the same problem, that is, the high cost of medical treatment, so that many ordinary people can no longer afford to get sick, do not dare to get sick! Even slightly wealthier families will completely fall into ruin because of a serious illness.
Medical care in Cuba is truly free, with examinations, tests, treatments, surgeries, medicines and even diets all covered by the Government. In addition, Cuba's medical level is also leading the world, and the government's expenditure on medical care accounts for about 10% of fiscal revenue.
Cuban medical team with foreign aid
Free housing provided by the State: Yes, in Cuba all houses will be provided free of charge to the people of the country, and these are allocated by the State.
For Cubans, there is no need to worry about housing since birth, let alone house slaves. Although Cuba's per capita income is very low, it is also very stressful for young people, who do not have to worry about their children's education or housing.
Cuban street view
In addition to the above three points, Cuba has a lot to be proud of. It is said that ordinary Cubans can directly intercept the free-riding cars of senior government officials, and as long as there is an available space, there is no reason for officials to refuse you to hitchhike (except for special official duties and activities).
Cuba's politics are also very clean and honest, not only the leadership itself plays an exemplary role, but also mingles with the masses and shares weal and woe.